Essential Question

Life in the Old Country: What makes a country a person’s homeland?

Class & Work: How important is work in defining a person’s identity?

Words to look for

extended family

Background Information

Life in the Philippines tends to be centered around the family and the church. The family may be an extended one, with close relationships with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Traditionally the family has been patriarchal, with the father in charge, and the children expected to have great respect for their elders. Servants are much more common in homes in the Philippines than in the United States. Many families hire individuals to help with the cooking, cleaning, gardening, or childcare, and these people often become like members of the family.

Transcription

LM: Do you have memories of those years when you were in the old country? What one or two stories do you remember most clearly about your first four years in the Philippines?

PF: I remember living with my relatives, and how close it was for… We were living with our other extended family, like my dad’s grandma was just across the street. And there were, I remember, dogs. A lot of dogs everywhere. Stray dogs and our dogs, as well. And then I also remember our yaya, Ate Lani. I was really close to her, I remember that.

LM: You mentioned the word ‘yaya’. Can you explain that term? What is a yaya?

PF: A yaya in the Philippines, I believe, is a housemaid? But it’s different, because she’s more of a family friend as well, and she lives in the house as well, and her job is just to help out the family. But she’s not like a maid, where you don’t really get to know them, but she’s part of the family basically.

LM: And taking care of the children.

PF: Yep, yep, so she helped bring us, my siblings and I, grow up while my parents were at work, and then my parents would come back, and they’d be there. I remember she would cook really good spaghetti. I think that’s why I love spaghetti. That’s one of my favorite foods.